Jenn, Just in Time

July 9th is another thirty something step for Jenn. Blessed with many talents, she is the ward activities person, teaches art classes, works part time, keeps up her scrapbook business, is on many town & parent committees and enjoys a busy family of boys. She would probably be the first to say that it is easier to work full time than to raise children. The challenges almost outnumber the fun, enjoyment and rewards, but who is counting.

Amongst it all she is willing to teach Sunday School or Relief Society when asked and much more. Occasionally she finds time to sew, go on morning walks with friends and even sleep. She brings an enthusiasm to life and has the courage to share the Gospel as well. Her short cropped hair is a perfect wash & wear to keep up with all she does. Cookie dough is her favorite snack.

Blessed to have a college degree she is able to put it to use in her everyday life teaching of friends and family alike. Patience is something a mother learns over time, as Jenn is learning with potty training, bedtime and house improvements. The precious souls she is raising depend on and love the many things she introduces them to. May she continue to hang in there because if she does, it will be just in time to enjoy a new experience.

Learning Patience

This is the latest project I have finished. It is the most rewarding so far. The fawn mule deer was the most challenging because it was so delicate. There was times when I had to get up and walk away from it because I was going to throw it through the wall. I'm learning patience which some of you know I dont have any. But I'm learning them real fast. This mount was the main piece on the fourth of July float. It got alot of positive comments at church today. They said the float was really cool and it caught alot of good comments. It's getting my name out there. The president of Hoyt Easton invited me to a dinner to meet all their engineers and professional hunters this month. He said to bring cards and hand them out to everyone. Hope I can get some of their work. I'm now working on a moose my dad shot 23 years ago. I hope to give it to him for his birthday. The kids are getting ready to start their own projects. Brayle is going to do a baby skunk and Hunter will do a baby raccoon. We will keep you posted on their projects.

Nifty Nine Now

Brayle is nine now after celebrating her birthday on the 1st. A castle cake decorated by Quanette was so amazing it was hard to attack, although Hunter was willing. A sleek purple and silver speed bike was the crowning gift along with bow & arrow water shooter, clothes and a Spiderwick Cronicles dvd.

Lucky to be tall for her age, Brayle is a fun, active, competitive, as well as a book and computer game loving child. The oldest of the grandchildren, she kindly took over the responsibility of helping to care for the youngest of the gang when everyone was here. Often packing them around and keeping them entertained, everyone appreciated her skills. We all love to have her around & hope 4th grade is great with Mr Z. May you also have a wonderful summer.

Taking after her dad, Brayle loves hunting & hopes to do more of it. She is a teaser, obedient and fun loving like her mom. She adores to love & tease Hunter. Have a nifty ninth year in 4th grade.

Is Noah a Noisy?

A dinosaur specialist and lover, Noah can name most of the common dinosaurs and then some. June 29th he took the leap to school age turning five years old. His birthday party had a prehistoric theme with a Tyranosarus Rex cake, chocolate shapes, pjs, games, trucks and outfit to match. If evolution existed Noah would have wanted to be a dinosaur, specifically a T-rex. Consequently he likes to roar, which has resulted in his new name. Siblings copy the kingpin and mimic his shouting as well, thus they have been named the ‘Noisies’. Healthy rough & tumble boys with more than enough energy is what this boy & his brothers are about.


Noah knows many of his numbers, letters, color’s and can write his name. Speech therapy improved his language skills dramatically this year. In a classroom setting, he will raise his hand asking questions unlike many Schmidt family members. This bright eyed five year old noisy, is ready to start all day kindergarten in less than sixty days. Keep being the fun loving boy you are.


Yeah!! The kid has arrived and the mom has, too. She can’t wait.

You Shouldn’t Have

It was the second busiest time of the year when the children all converged on the old homestead for a week or two, with their little ones in tow. We’d planned for months of things we would do to have a rip roaring time. As they made their way on the road less traveled heading for ‘Grammies & Gramps’ home, we made bread, goodies and beds.

As the cars pulled into the driveway hugs and shouts were made while the babies got reacquainted. Parks, water, trampoline, fountains, libraries and museums were the order of the day as we jumped through the maze of shoes, bedding and toys preparing for the next event.

Birthday parties were celebrated by Noah & Me. I just love the colorful new lawn pads you went to great lengths to get for me, when I refused to spend the money. You really shouldn’t have gone the extra mile, but I will think of it whenever I see its classy look on the deck and be glad of such thoughtful children.

Many thanks for agreeing to a family photo that we will remember for many years as we lovingly study each of your smiling (or not) faces. No one knows when life will change and we won’t have a loved one in brown, pink or tan.

Riding the bus driven by Jory was a highlight. Like being a fly on the wall, I was so proud to say, ‘he is my son’. Brave little Sarah holding a snake and letting it crawl up her arm, will stay in my mind for many years. It has been more than twenty years since someone slept on the trampoline, Brayle, Hunter, Mauri & Makayla broke the record.

I must admit my back & head ached, sleep was less than usual and it wasn’t easy, but
please come back again and hopefully you have many happy memories of coming home.

Hail, Hell, The Gang’s All Here, Almost

That’s right, Jenn with her 3 sons and Alicia with her 2 little ones are both here for several weeks from opposite ends of the country. Aaron is out of town until July, so Mauri wanted to get into the action as well, by cutting out a few 90 mile round trip commutes. They are all staying at the house until Alicia gets fed up and moves to her in-laws for peace and quiet. Mauri may need to head home to feed the animals, but in the mean time everyone has been assigned a spot, kids and all. Plenty of food, fun & family events on the horizon without any scraps, squabbles or scarcities expected. So please get along all ten of you. Dad & I will be @Marriott.

This is really the first mega overnighter we have had at the house. Jory & Breann may or may not want to round it out. We have spots on the main floor or a tent you can use. We have planned a few activities at Wheeler Farm, Thanksgiving Point, PJ butterfly storytime at the library and even working on a weiner roast & swim in the back yard. Send your ideas of a great fun when you have 4 mothers, 7 kids & 1 dad.

2 Years Really Goes Fast

Yep, it was two years ago today that Jory returned home from his mission to Chile. I vividly remember sitting in the Dallas airport getting the news that the flight would be delayed for a few hours, visiting with ten other missionaries returning to Salt Lake. Jory was filled with anticipation of returning to his friends, family and goals of what to do for the rest of his life.

I saved for nearly two years doing baby sitting and such to be able to fly to South America to pick him up. I wanted to see the places he had grown to maturity, learned Spanish, new converts now great friends, acquired leadership skills, learn humility and to trust in the Lord, gain a strong testimony, plus so many more. All those interesting pictures he sent us came to life. It made passing up lasix, a new car, couch, or some other treasure that would have lasted longer than two weeks in Chile, but a memory that we will never forget & well worth it.

On the flight from Chile I pulled out a notebook and wrote down everything I could remember that we did, knowing if I didn't do it then, I wouldn’t get to it for years later and all would be forgotten. I ran across that record this week.

Goals are great things to set and see come to pass. Even better is to keep a history for future enjoyment. Write down all the fun things that happen today. You won’t remember 5, 10 or 25 years from now, when your kids ask who did what, broke what, was like who and so forth when you are 55 or so.